Game Face

Torry Santana is a seventh-grade sports star. His friends will tell you he's good at everything, but he works hard for it, too. This year, he's a starter on his school basketball team. Yet after a big loss, the eighth graders are eyeing his spot. Can Torry find a way to face their big rivals again, or will he crumble under the pressure?

Javon Park loves baseball. This summer, his team is fighting for the championship! As relief pitcher, Javon knows the final moments of every game belong to him. And after drum lessons from his older brother, Ki, Javon feels like he might have found his rhythm. Strike one, strike two, strike three. Will it be enough to take down a worthy opponent?

Sometimes the truth hits hard. Chase Clark just upped his game. As an eighth grader, he scores the chance to play on the varsity football team with his best friend, Tripp. But when a hard hit takes Tripp down, Chase is the only one who knows what really happened. And telling could have serious consequences. Making the right call won't be easy. Neither will the consequences he'll face, both with the guys on the team and with the school. What's the game plan when doing right might means everything else goes very wrong?

Maya Esposito has just won the coveted junior internship for the local newspaper. Everyone seems to be happy for her, except Bobby, and his new attitude stings. Maya loves writing about sports, but doubt clouds her judgment. Can Maya stay true to her passion and prove she's just as strong as any boy, no matter what her critics say? Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Calico is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

Alana O'Brien can't wait to compete in her school's STEAM Expo. But with hockey tryouts and a family legacy to uphold, Alana will try any zany experiment she can think of to excel at the expo and on the ice. Will she create a winning invention, or will Alana realize that maybe she's already got everything she needs to succeed on her skates? Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Calico is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

Marcus Thorpe just had the first, and worst, 400-meter race of his seventh-grade life. He knows it was rough, but his friends' jokes are starting to sting. Luckily, redemption is in sight. If Marcus can just find the right pace, he can earn a spot in the 4x400 relay and prove his worth at the special meet at the high school. Will he pull his weight, or will the final stretch crush him again?

Griffin Lane loves playing soccer in the local league. His three best friends are there. It's competitive but more relaxed than school sports. And he's right where he wants to be, playing defense out in front of the goal. But when the goalie is injured, everyone seems to think Griffin is the best replacement. Can he hack it between the sticks, or will his nerves win the day?

Rana Parisi's softball team is heading for the summer league championship. As a catcher, Rana calls the shots. But when her plan to organize a surprise party for Maya backfires, feelings are hurt and Rana loses focus. Will Rana strike out during the championship? And can she save her friendship? Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Calico is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

Marcus Thorpe just had the first, and worst, 400-meter race of his seventh-grade life. He knows it was rough, but his friends' jokes are starting to sting. Luckily, redemption is in sight. If Marcus can just find the right pace, he can earn a spot in the 4x400 relay and prove his worth at the special meet at the high school. Will he pull his weight, or will the final stretch crush him again? Table of contents

Torry Santana is a seventh-grade sports star. His friends will tell you he's good at everything, but he works hard for it, too. This year, he's a starter on his school basketball team. Yet after a big loss, the eighth graders are eyeing his spot. Can Torry find a way to face their big rivals again, or will he crumble under the pressure? Table of contents

Louie Lin's parents have just agreed to hire a choreographer to help her prepare for the state championship. To get the training, Louie starts taking Korean tea lessons with her grandmother. Louie grows frustrated with her schedule, rushing her lessons and arguing with her instructor. Can the dancing dynamo find the balance she seeks, or will she boil over? Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Calico is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.